I'm going to the doctor and I have having an internal struggle about whether to shave my legs. I'm going for a foot injury that just won't quit, so what if I end up having to get x-rays? Rolling up my pant leg to expose a hairy leg to one doctor doesn't scare me much. But stripping down and to wear a knee-length gown in front of multiple people? Maybe too much.

The problem with shaving is that I get the WORST ingrown hairs, and then I get scars, and it's horrible. But I don't think I have enough self-confidence to publicly display my leg hair. I don't know what to do!! What should I do?

Don't shave! Just remind yourself that there are reasons you don't shave and that there is no shame in not shaving your legs.

Another vote for not shaving. There is nothing wrong with having hair on our bodies, fork societal norm's.

Exactly!

_________________You are all a disgrace to vegans. Go f*ck yourselves, especially linanil.

I get it, ashley - I want to not care about my legs being hairy, and I can get there in certain circumstances. But sometimes I have to give in a little so I won't get too anxious about it, especially in situations involving strangers! My best compromise so far is to just use a trimmer instead of shaving, so it's less visible but I don't have to deal with ingrown hairs.

ETA: I used to be so self conscious that I would have to shave the same day my bare legs would be visible - even next day stubble was too much. But that doesn't bother me at all now. Baby steps!

_________________"I feel like it's not a real political discussion if I'm not morally opposed to something I don't understand." - ndpittman

Post subject: Re: Space to post things that do not go with any other topic

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:07 am

Vegan Since Before There Were Vegetables

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 8:43 pmPosts: 12813Location: Redmond, WA

i do that, too. when i feel like i need to shave, i use an electric beard trimmer. i never shave in the winter, but sometimes i feel like i have to, like for a job interview i had today.

speaking of that...i got the job guys! thanks for your support! it's at a skilled nursing facility/health care center, which is basically a nursing home, but not they have a lot of different patients, not everyone is a senior. i'm really excited!

_________________I am not a troll. I am TELLING YOU THE ******GOD'S TRUTH****** AND YOU JUST DON'T WANT THE HEAR IT DO YOU?

Post subject: Re: Space to post things that do not go with any other topic

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:27 am

Ninja Master

Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:00 pmPosts: 5872Location: Surrey, UK

ashley wrote:

I'm going to the doctor and I have having an internal struggle about whether to shave my legs. I'm going for a foot injury that just won't quit, so what if I end up having to get x-rays? Rolling up my pant leg to expose a hairy leg to one doctor doesn't scare me much. But stripping down and to wear a knee-length gown in front of multiple people? Maybe too much.

The problem with shaving is that I get the WORST ingrown hairs, and then I get scars, and it's horrible. But I don't think I have enough self-confidence to publicly display my leg hair. I don't know what to do!! What should I do?

Ach, they've seen more shocking things than a bit of leg hair. Don't worry about it.

Post subject: Re: Space to post things that do not go with any other topic

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:58 am

Should Spend More Time Helping the Animals

Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:57 pmPosts: 6536Location: Boston, MA

Ijdi, I literally just said, "Shut up!" out loud. I am so happy for you!!!! And what a relief they didn't take a load of time to make a decision or anything. Will you still be able to visit your family?

_________________I would eat Dr. Cow pocket cheese in a second. I would eat it if you hid it under your hat, or in your backpack, but not if it was in your shoe. That's where I draw the line. -allularpunk

Post subject: Re: Space to post things that do not go with any other topic

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:06 pm

Vegan Since Before There Were Vegetables

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 8:43 pmPosts: 12813Location: Redmond, WA

ndpittman wrote:

Ijdi, I literally just said, "Shut up!" out loud. I am so happy for you!!!! And what a relief they didn't take a load of time to make a decision or anything. Will you still be able to visit your family?

hehe thanks! the job starts on March 4th, so it's perfect. i can visit my family and get back into the zone of getting up at 6. I've been sleeping till 9 or so since I finished school.

_________________I am not a troll. I am TELLING YOU THE ******GOD'S TRUTH****** AND YOU JUST DON'T WANT THE HEAR IT DO YOU?

Post subject: Re: Space to post things that do not go with any other topic

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:25 pm

Should Write a Goddam Book Already

Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:25 amPosts: 1044

Last time I visited my GP, I had like legit leg hair and my legs were covered in burns (oven) and bruises (roller derby). (I was there to have my knee checked out, turns out I'd been working too hard.) I hadn't thought about shaving my legs until I was actually there, lying on her table. My legs didn't look like your average leg, but I looked at them and thought: They' may not be pretty legs per se, but they're my legs. My strong legs, that carry me every day, that I stand on for hours on end in the kitchen without complaining. Legs that make me one of the fastest skaters in my league. Legs that are beautiful to me for exactly those reasons. :)

_________________Did you notice the slight feeling of panic at the words "Chicken Basin Street"? Like someone was walking over your grave? Try not to remember. We must never remember. - mumblesIs this about devilberries and nazifruit again? - footface

Post subject: Re: Space to post things that do not go with any other topic

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:36 pm

Dead by dawn

Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:54 pmPosts: 8746Location: Seattle

<3 Paloma

You know what I sort of hate about the internet sometimes? That it makes it way too easy to know things that you don't need to know. And you don't even have to be snooping around looking, either. And then you feel all weird and confused about it. Ignorance sometimes really is bliss...

Post subject: Re: Space to post things that do not go with any other topic

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:45 pm

Dying from Nooch Lung

Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:25 pmPosts: 3207Location: Sacramento

Congrats on the job, ijdi!

Paloma wrote:

Last time I visited my GP, I had like legit leg hair and my legs were covered in burns (oven) and bruises (roller derby). (I was there to have my knee checked out, turns out I'd been working too hard.) I hadn't thought about shaving my legs until I was actually there, lying on her table. My legs didn't look like your average leg, but I looked at them and thought: They' may not be pretty legs per se, but they're my legs. My strong legs, that carry me every day, that I stand on for hours on end in the kitchen without complaining. Legs that make me one of the fastest skaters in my league. Legs that are beautiful to me for exactly those reasons. :)

Post subject: Re: Space to post things that do not go with any other topic

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 1:16 pm

Should Write a Goddam Book Already

Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:25 amPosts: 1044

ashley wrote:

I will still probably feel the need to explain myself, but baby steps...

You go girl. :)

Not participating in societies norms about certain things does feel wrong sometimes. But in my experience, doing something that society expects of you, which you yourself don't feel comfortable with (like shaving your legs) usually feels worse. (And yes, I was conscious of the fact that I hadn't shaved too when I was at my GP. That's how societal norms work, unfortunately.)

Just think positive thoughts. And like the others say, doctors most likely don't give a hoot about it. :) Mine smiled when I told her about my work (= burns) and how much I loved derby (=bruises) and we ended up talking about derby for the rest of my visit.